etail Action
The office action is in response to the communications filed on 11/26/2025.
Notice of AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claims Status
Claims 13 and 18-19 have been cancelled.
Claims 1-12, 14-17, and 20-23 are pending.
Prior Art Made of Record
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Chatterjee et al. (Publication No. US 2021/0203449), the prior art discloses that configuration of PUR based PUSCH transmission may be configured by dedicated RRC signaling. In a case when the configuration of PUR based PUSCH transmission is not configured, the UE may use the configuration which is configured for Type 1 configured grant PUSCH transmission; see ¶ 0076.
Response to Arguments
Applicant remarks, filed on 09/11/2025, argues that the cited portion of the prior art, individually or in combination, fails to discloses the features in claim 1, specifically,
(i) “determining an uplink transmission resource, performed by a user equipment,”. Examiner respectfully disagrees. Höglund discloses a scheme for preconfigured uplink resources (PUR) transmission, in idle mode, by the user equipment (UE); see figure 20 & ¶ 0315.
Applicant indicates that the distinguishing technical feature is “how to configure UL resources” instead of “how to transmit data to the eNodeB based on the pre-configured UL resources”; see remarks page 12. It is noted that the features upon which applicant relies (i.e., how to configure UL resources) are not recited in the rejected claim(s). Although the claims are interpreted in light of the specification, limitations from the specification are not read into the claims. See In re Van Geuns, 988 F.2d 1181, 26 USPQ2d 1057 (Fed. Cir. 1993). Examiner suggest to amend the claim by incorporating the concept of configuring UL resources in order to distinguish from the prior art.
(ii) “determining a dedicated uplink transmission resource of the user equipment from multiple sets of uplink transmission resources based on an availability determination condition” Examiner respectfully disagrees. Höglund discloses that the UE determines that the timing advance (TA) it currently holds is deem valid according to the TA validity mechanism, wherein the TA validity mechanism support transmissions on pre-configured UL resources [plurality] in IDLE mode; see figure 20 step 2 & ¶ 0329/0344. It is noted that the term determining has been construed as any mechanism that indicates the availability condition. Therefore, the TA validity mechanism has been equated to the determination mechanism.
Applicant indicates that the distinguishing technical feature is selecting “one from multiple sets of uplink transmission resources” instead of testing “whether the current TA used by the UE is valid”; see remarks page 13. It is noted that the features upon which applicant relies (i.e., selecting one from multiple sets of uplink transmission resources) are not recited in the rejected claim(s). Although the claims are interpreted in light of the specification, limitations from the specification are not read into the claims. See In re Van Geuns, 988 F.2d 1181, 26 USPQ2d 1057 (Fed. Cir. 1993). Examiner suggest to amend the claim by incorporating the concept of selecting one uplink resource from the multiple sets in order to distinguish from the prior art.
Furthermore, Applicant indicates that the distinguishing technical feature is performing “a selection action, with the result being obtaining a UL transmission resource dedicated to the current UE” instead of performing “a test action, with the result being that TA is valid or invalid”; see remarks page 14. It is noted that the features upon which applicant relies (i.e., performing a selection action) are not recited in the rejected claim(s). Although the claims are interpreted in light of the specification, limitations from the specification are not read into the claims. See In re Van Geuns, 988 F.2d 1181, 26 USPQ2d 1057 (Fed. Cir. 1993).
Lastly, Applicant indicates that the term "availability" in the above technical feature means selection of the resources, while the prior art term “valid” means passing the TA verification mechanism; see remarks page 14. It is noted that the features upon which applicant relies (i.e., selection of the resources) are not recited in the rejected claim(s). Although the claims are interpreted in light of the specification, limitations from the specification are not read into the claims. See In re Van Geuns, 988 F.2d 1181, 26 USPQ2d 1057 (Fed. Cir. 1993).
(iii) “a variation amount of a measured value obtained by measuring a downlink transmission corresponding to the uplink transmission resource in an idle state or an inactive state with respect to a reference value obtained by measuring the downlink transmission in a connected state being less than or equal to a set threshold.”. Examiner respectfully disagrees. Höglund discloses that when measurement value is below a configured threshold, the device may assume that its TA value stored at time instance T0 is still valid, and that can be used to perform an idle mode data transmission, wherein the measurement value is RSRP(T1) minus RSRP(T0), wherein RSRP(T0) is a measurement of the downlink signal strength, when the UE acquires the initial TA [connected state] at time instance T0; see ¶ 0347, and the device again measures the signal strength RSRP at time T1 before triggering an idle mode transmission; see ¶ 0346-0347.
Applicant indicates that the distinguishing technical feature “measures the downlink transmission corresponding to the uplink transmission resource” instead of RSRP; see remarks page 16. Examiner note that the measurement of the RSRP comprises measuring the downlink signal strength, and using the measurement to determine whether the validity of the uplink resources. Therefore, the validity of the uplink resources correlated to the measurement of the downlink signal strength (ie. RSRP).
Furthermore, Applicant indicates that the distinguishing technical feature “obtains its reference value in the connected state” instead of RSRP; see remarks page 16. Höglund discloses that RSRP(T0) is a measurement of the downlink signal strength, when the UE acquires the initial TA [connected state] at time instance T0; see ¶ 0347. Therefore, the initial measurement (i.e. “RSRP(T0)”) happens before the UE transition to idle state.
Lastly, Applicant indicates that the above distinguishing technical feature adopts a cross-state differential logic, while the prior art adopts a self-differential logic under the same state; see remarks page 16. It is noted that the features upon which applicant relies (i.e., cross-state differential logic) are not recited in the rejected claim(s). Although the claims are interpreted in light of the specification, limitations from the specification are not read into the claims. See In re Van Geuns, 988 F.2d 1181, 26 USPQ2d 1057 (Fed. Cir. 1993). Also, the UE acquires the initial TA [connected state] at time instance T0, and the higher layers in the device triggers an idle mode data transmission, and the device again measures the absolute signal strength RSRP(T1); see ¶ 0346-0347. Therefore, the first measurement T0 is performed in connected state while the second measurement T1 the device is in idle mode.
For these reasons discussed above, the claim is met by the prior art.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent may not be obtained though the invention is not identically disclosed or described as set forth in section 102 of this title, if the differences between the subject matter sought to be patented and the prior art are such that the subject matter as a whole would have been obvious at the time the invention was made to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains. Patentability shall not be negatived by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459 (1966), that are applied for establishing a background for determining obviousness under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claims 1, 3-8, 12. 17, 20-21, and 23 are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Höglund et al. (Publication No. US 2022/0007391, hereinafter referred as Höglund) in view of Shi et al. (Publication No. US 2021/0037530, hereinafter referred as Shi).
Regarding claims 1 and 20-21, Höglund discloses determining an uplink transmission resource, performed by a user equipment, comprising (A scheme for preconfigured uplink resources (PUR) transmission, in idle mode, by the user equipment (UE); see figure 20 & ¶ 0315.):
determining a dedicated uplink transmission resource of the user equipment multiple sets of uplink transmission resources based on an availability determination condition (The UE determines that the timing advance (TA) it currently holds is deem valid according to the TA validity mechanism, wherein the TA validity mechanism support transmissions on pre-configured UL resources [plurality] in IDLE mode; see figure 20 step 2 & ¶ 0329/0344.);
wherein the availability determination condition comprises: a variation amount obtained by measuring a measured value of a downlink transmission corresponding to the uplink transmission resource in an idle state or an inactive state compared to a reference value obtained by measuring the downlink transmission in a connected state being less than or equal to a preset threshold (The TA validity mechanism comprises in identifying a limited change of the signal strength; see ¶ 0345. When measurement value is below a configured threshold, the device may assume that its TA value stored at time instance T0 is still valid, and that can be used to perform an idle mode data transmission, wherein the measurement value is RSRP(T1) minus RSRP(T0), wherein RSRP(T0) is a measurement of the downlink signal strength, when the UE acquires the initial TA [connected state] at time instance T0; see ¶ 0347, and the device again measures the signal strength RSRP at time T1 before triggering an idle mode transmission; see ¶ 0346-0347.); and
Höglund fails to disclose a transmission type of an uplink transmission matching a preset type configured for the uplink transmission resource; wherein an identifier representing the transmission type comprises at least one of: a bearer identifier, a logic channel identifier, or an uplink transmission resource type. However, in analogous art, Shi discloses that the conditions may include whether the service type of the UL data is a specific service type (e.g., data from a configured logical channel).; see ¶ 0523. If the UE determines that the UL data could be transmitted using PUR based on at least one of the above listed conditions, the UE may consider that there is an available PUR or the PUR is available; see ¶ 0524. The UE selects a beam which is associated with PUR; see ¶ 0528. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Höglund preconfigured uplink resources (PUR) mechanism with the availability mechanism of Shi in order to improve the accuracy of the measurement result when performing TA validation.
Regarding claim 3, Höglund discloses that the uplink transmission resource comprises uplink timing (The scheme for preconfigured uplink resources (PUR) transmission, in idle mode, by the user equipment (UE), wherein the resources are TA; see figure 20, ¶ 0315.); and
the availability determination condition further comprises: a timer corresponding to the uplink timing being in a running state (The TA validity mechanism comprises in the use of a timer; see ¶ 0356.).
Regarding claim 4, Höglund discloses that the uplink transmission resource is configured for an uplink transmission in an idle state or an inactive state (The scheme for preconfigured uplink resources (PUR) transmission, in idle mode, by the user equipment (UE), wherein the resources are TA; see figure 20, ¶ 0315.).
Regarding claim 5, Höglund discloses that the reference value is obtained by measuring the downlink transmission before or when a network device configures the uplink transmission resource or releases a connection with the user equipment (The UE measures the downlink signal strength at time T0, when acquiring the initial TA; see ¶ 0346.); and
the measured value is obtained by measuring the downlink transmission after the network device configures the uplink transmission resource or releases the connection with the user equipment (At a second-time instance T1, the higher layers in the device triggers an idle mode data transmission, and the UE again measures the signal strength of the serving cell; see ¶ 0347.).
Regarding claim 6, Höglund discloses that a set measuring object for measurement comprises at least one of a set cell, a set beam, or a set measurement signal (The UE again measures the signal strength of the serving cell; see ¶ 0347.).
Regarding claim 7, Höglund discloses that a set measurement item for measurement comprises at least one of a reference signal received power (RSRP), a reference signal received quality (RSRQ), a signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR), or a pathloss (The UE again measures the signal strength of the serving cell, wherein the signal strength measured is RSRP; see ¶ 0347.).
Regarding claim 8, Höglund discloses that at least one of the measured value or the reference value is obtained by measuring a set measurement signal (The UE again measures the signal strength of the serving cell; see ¶ 0347.);
wherein the set measurement signal is determined according to configuration information of the network device (The UE obtains an Idle-SPS like PUR configuration via dedicated RRC signaling which may consist of two configurable options depending on traffic type intended to be served; see figure 20 step 1 & ¶ 0320.) and configured for cell selection or reselection, or dedicated to obtaining the at least one of the measured value or the reference value (The configuration includes a threshold [reference value]; see ¶ 0347).
Regarding claim 12, Höglund fails to disclose that the set beam comprises at least one of: a beam with a largest measured value in the set cell; a beam corresponding to the uplink transmission resource; a beam indicated by the network device; a beam with a measured value greater than or equal to a beam measurement threshold; or a beam with a measured value less than or equal to a beam measurement threshold. However, in analogous art, Shi discloses the UE selects a beam which is associated with PUR based on the quality associated with the beam, wherein the quality is determined based on the measured RSRP of this beam baing above (or not below) a threshold or the measured RSRP of this beam is the highest among the measured RSRP of all beams.; see ¶ 0528. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Höglund preconfigured uplink resources (PUR) mechanism with the measurement mechanism of Shi in order to improve the accuracy of the measurement result when performing TA validation.
Regarding claims 17 and 23, Höglund discloses that method for determining an uplink transmission resource, performed by a network device, comprising (A scheme for preconfigured uplink resources (PUR) transmission, in idle mode, by the user equipment (UE); see figure 20 & ¶ 0315.):
sending a plurality of sets of configured uplink transmission resources to a user equipment (A eNodeB [network device] sends the PUR configuration via dedicated RRC signaling, the PUR configuration enables the TA validity mechanism which support transmissions on pre-configured UL resources [plurality] in IDLE mode; see figure 20 step 1 & ¶ 0320/344.);
wherein the plurality of sets of uplink transmission resources are configured for the user equipment to determine a dedicated uplink transmission resource of the user equipment based on an availability determination condition (The UE determines that the timing advance (TA) it currently holds is deem valid according to the TA validity mechanism, wherein the TA validity mechanism support transmissions on pre-configured UL resources [plurality] in IDLE mode; see figure 20 step 2 & ¶ 0329/0344. The plurality of sets of configured uplinks is interpreted as one or more UL resources.); and
the availability determination condition comprises at least one of:
a variation amount of a measured value obtained by measuring a downlink transmission corresponding to the uplink transmission resource in an idle state or an inactive state with respect to a reference value obtained by measuring the downlink transmission in a connected state being less than or equal to a set threshold (The TA validity mechanism comprises in identifying a limited change of the signal strength; see ¶ 0345. When measurement value is below a configured threshold, the device may assume that its TA valid, wherein the measurement value is RSRP(T1) minus RSRP(T0), wherein RSRP(T0) is a measurement of the downlink signal strength, when the UE acquires the initial TA [connected state] at time instance T0; see ¶ 0347, and the device again measures the signal strength RSRP at time T1 before triggering an idle mode transmission; see ¶ 0346-0347.); and
Höglund fails to disclose a transmission type of an uplink transmission matching a preset type configured for the uplink transmission resource; wherein an identifier representing the transmission type comprises at least one of: a bearer identifier, a logic channel identifier, or an uplink transmission resource type. However, in analogous art, Shi discloses that the conditions may include whether the service type of the UL data is a specific service type (e.g., data from a configured logical channel).; see ¶ 0523. If the UE determines that the UL data could be transmitted using PUR based on at least one of the above listed conditions, the UE may consider that there is an available PUR or the PUR is available; see ¶ 0524. The UE selects a beam which is associated with PUR; see ¶ 0528. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Höglund preconfigured uplink resources (PUR) mechanism with the availability mechanism of Shi in order to improve the accuracy of the measurement result when performing TA validation.
Claims 2 and 22 are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Höglund et al. (Publication No. US 2022/0007391, hereinafter referred as Höglund) in view of Shi et al. (Publication No. US 2021/0037530, hereinafter referred as Shi) and further in view of Kim et al. (Publication No. US 2022/0232608, hereinafter referred as Kim).
Regarding claims 2 and 22, Höglund fails to disclose releasing or suspending the uplink transmission resource in case that the uplink transmission resource is unavailable. However, in analogous art, Kim discloses a PUR skipping counter may set a specific initial value and may be configured/designed to release the PUR when the counter value is zero; see ¶ 0378. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Höglund preconfigured uplink resources (PUR) mechanism with the counter mechanism of Kim in order to prevent the PUR resource from being excessively released.
Claims 9 and 16 are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Höglund et al. (Publication No. US 2022/0007391, hereinafter referred as Höglund) in view of Shi et al. (Publication No. US 2021/0037530, hereinafter referred as Shi) and further in view of Phuyal et al. (Publication No. US 2021/0377977, hereinafter referred as Phuyal).
Regarding claim 9, Höglund fails to disclose that the configuration information comprises at least one of frequency indication information, a sub carrier spacing, a measurement time interval, reference signal configuration, a beam measurement threshold, a maximum number of beams, a beam identifier, or a signal identifier. However, in analogous art, Phuyal discloses that a base station may transmit, and a UE may receive, a PUR configuration, wherein the PUR configuration may include information [indication information] associated with a PUR that may be used by the UE for transmitting uplink data (e.g., when the UE is operating in RRC idle mode); see figure 3 numeral 305 & ¶ 0065. The information indicating a grant associated with the PUR configuration, wherein the grant may include information that identifies time/frequency resources associated with the grant; see ¶ 0075. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Höglund preconfigured uplink resources (PUR) mechanism of Phuyal with the grant mechanism in order to prevent the UE from attempting to release a PUR of another UE; see ¶ 0075.
Regarding claim 16, Höglund fails to disclose that the uplink transmission resource has corresponding frequency indication information; wherein the frequency indication information is configured by the network device or pre-configured by the user equipment; and the frequency indication information comprises at least one of a cell identifier, a frequency point identifier, a bandwidth, a bandwidth part identifier, a cell group identifier, or a timing advance group identifier. However, in analogous art, Phuyal discloses that a base station may transmit, and a UE may receive, a PUR configuration, wherein the PUR configuration may include information [indication information] associated with a PUR that may be used by the UE for transmitting uplink data (e.g., when the UE is operating in RRC idle mode); see figure 3 numeral 305 & ¶ 0065. The information indicating a grant associated with the PUR configuration, wherein the grant may include information that identifies time/frequency resources associated with the grant; see ¶ 0075. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Höglund preconfigured uplink resources (PUR) mechanism of Phuyal with the grant mechanism in order to prevent the UE from attempting to release a PUR of another UE; see ¶ 0075.
Claim 10 is rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Höglund et al. (Publication No. US 2022/0007391, hereinafter referred as Höglund) in view of Shi et al. (Publication No. US 2021/0037530, hereinafter referred as Shi) and further in view of Keating et al. (Publication No. US 2022/0094508, hereinafter referred as Keating).
Regarding claim 10, Höglund fails to disclose that the method further comprises at least one of: adopting the set measurement signal configured in the uplink transmission resource to perform cell selection or reselection in case that it is determined that the uplink transmission resource is available; or
stopping adopting the set measurement signal configured in the uplink transmission resource to perform measurement in case that it is determined that the uplink transmission resource is unavailable. However, in analogous art, Keating discloses measuring, at a preconfigured uplink resource (PUR) configured user equipment, time of arrival (TOA) on a plurality of beams from a plurality of network nodes, determining reference signal time difference (RSTD) value; see ¶ 0008. Furthermore, determining that the beam indexes are still valid, selecting one or more of the beam indexes of a best beams using the TOA across the multiple RS beams, and performing TA validation using the calculated RSTD and beam indexes; see ¶ 0008. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Höglund preconfigured uplink resources (PUR) mechanism with the measurement mechanism of Keating in order to select the best beams for TA validation.
Claim 11 is rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Höglund et al. (Publication No. US 2022/0007391, hereinafter referred as Höglund) in view of Shi et al. (Publication No. US 2021/0037530, hereinafter referred as Shi) and further in view of Ou et al. (Publication No. US 2021/0112559, hereinafter referred as Ou).
Regarding claim 11, Höglund fails to disclose that a measurement result of the set cell comprises at least one of: an average measurement result of beams whose measured values are greater than a beam measurement threshold in the set cell; or a maximum measurement result in beams of the set cell. However, in analogous art, Ou discloses cell measurement result is in general derived from the linear average of the power values of up to N highest beam measurement quantity values above a configured threshold; see ¶ 0281. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Höglund preconfigured uplink resources (PUR) mechanism with the average measurement mechanism of Ou in order to improve the accuracy of the measurement result when performing TA validation.
Claims 14 and 15 are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Höglund et al. (Publication No. US 2022/0007391, hereinafter referred as Höglund) in view of Shi et al. (Publication No. US 2021/0037530, hereinafter referred as Shi) and further in view of Agiwal et al. (Publication No. US 2022/0022247, hereinafter referred as Agiwal).
Regarding claim 14, Höglund fails to disclose that the uplink transmission resource type comprises at least one of an uplink transmission on a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), an uplink transmission on a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), or an uplink sounding signal. However, in analogous art, Agiwal discloses that the gNB decides to configure pre-configured PUSCH in RRC_inactive state; wherein the UE receives the pre-configured PUSCH resources based on cell group (CG) grant type 1; see ¶ 0097. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Höglund preconfigured uplink resources (PUR) mechanism of Agiwal with the grant mechanism in order to enable power saving during PUSCH transmission.
Regarding claim 15, Höglund fails to disclose that uplink grant is taken as the uplink transmission resource for the uplink transmission on the PUSCH. However, in analogous art, Agiwal discloses that the gNB decides to configure pre-configured PUSCH in RRC_inactive state; wherein the UE receives the pre-configured PUSCH resources based on cell group (CG) grant type 1; see ¶ 0097. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Höglund preconfigured uplink resources (PUR) mechanism of Agiwal with the grant mechanism in order to enable power saving during PUSCH transmission.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to HECTOR REYES whose telephone number is (571)270-0239. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 6-5.
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/H.R/Examiner, Art Unit 2472
/KEVIN T BATES/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2472